Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast.
This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey – not just the neat and tidy version after the event, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The tired bits. The food dramas. The “how are you still going?” moments. And eventually, the wrap-up chat when their race is done.
In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Jason Rantall.
And this one is powerful.
Jason came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with huge energy, a big smile, and a deep love for the backyard ultra format – not just because of the running, but because of the community, the connection, and the movement.
In fact, Jason was at the event the day before it even started, helping set things up.
Which says a lot, really.
For Jason, this format is about more than just how far you can go. It’s about showing up fully. Being present. Connecting with others. Moving the body. Shifting the mind.
And that phrase – move the body, shift the mind – really sits at the heart of this episode.
Jason shares openly about growing up with serious mental health challenges from a very young age, later being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, OCD and psychosis, living with addiction, and eventually finding running again at the age of 44.
But he’s also very clear that running hasn’t always been healthy for him.
At first, he says he was using running to put pain into his body because physical pain felt easier to manage than emotional pain.
That’s a big thing to say out loud.
And it’s also one of the reasons I loved this conversation so much.
Because now, Jason runs from a very different place.
He runs because he loves it.
He runs because movement, connection and community support the life he has built.
He runs because he’s learned to be present.
And he runs because, in his words, if he starts the lap, he finishes it.
At Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, Jason had a big support crew around him, including his son Ryder, Crazy Running Man, mates, family, and his nutritionist Jess.
And he needed them.
Because this event threw plenty at him.
He battled gut issues for hours. He struggled to keep food down. His crew tried honey, lollies, carb mix, electrolytes, medication, Krispy Kreme donuts, and probably a few prayers to the ultra-running gods.
At one point, he was feeling absolutely rubbish, but still completely clear on one thing:
If he got back in time, he was going out again.
And he did.
Jason made it to 45 yards – around 300 kilometres – before timing out on yard 46 after cramps, vomiting, energy loss and a huge battle with the body.
But what stood out in his wrap-up wasn’t disappointment.
It was calm.
It was perspective.
It was gratitude for his crew.
It was curiosity about what needs to change next time.
And it was that same clear presence he spoke about before the event even began:
When he’s in something, he’s in it.
And when it’s done, it’s done.
This episode is honest, thoughtful, raw, funny in places, and full of the kind of wisdom you only really get when someone has lived through hard things and found a way to keep moving.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
- Jason speaks openly about mental health, addiction, recovery and running
- We talk about when running helps – and when running can become unhealthy
- You’ll hear what “move the body, shift the mind” really means to Jason
- Jason’s son Ryder gives a gorgeous little crew update while Jason is asleep
- There’s a very real look at stomach issues, nutrition problem-solving and ultra-running food chaos
- You’ll hear the crew trying to get Jason through one more yard with a Krispy Kreme donut
- Jason reflects honestly on reaching 45 yards and 300K
- It’s a strong reminder that sometimes the real story is not just the result, but how someone keeps showing up
A Few Favourite Themes
Move the body, shift the mind
Jason’s story is such a strong example of how movement can support mental health – not as a magic fix, but as one important part of a much bigger picture.
Running is not always automatically healthy
Jason talks honestly about how he once used running to create physical pain because it felt easier than emotional pain. That honesty matters.
Community changes everything
Backyard and frontyard ultras bring people together in such a unique way. For Jason, that connection is a huge part of why he loves this format.
Presence is a skill
Jason’s whole approach is about staying where he is – not drifting into the chair, the next lap, the finish, the past or the future.
Crew are everything
Jason’s team kept problem-solving long after things got messy. Food, fuel, encouragement, tough love, donuts – they were all in.
Listen In For
- Jason’s childhood in Gisborne
- His early love of sport and wanting to run like Carl Lewis
- His experience with mental health challenges from a young age
- How running re-entered his life at 44
- Quitting smoking, then later quitting alcohol
- Why running became a catalyst, but not the whole answer
- His love of Backyard and Frontyard Ultras
- Why he doesn’t set a hard target
- His rule: if he starts a lap, he finishes it
- Ryder’s crew update while Jason is asleep
- Jason battling stomach issues around yard 20
- Honey, lollies, carb mix and Organic Performance
- The raw moment where Jason is struggling to eat before heading back out
- The Krispy Kreme donut attempt
- Timing out on yard 46
- Finishing 45 yards and around 300 kilometres
- What Jason learned about nutrition, taste fatigue and future events
- Why he can walk away from the event without getting stuck in “should have”
Mentioned In This Episode
- Melbourne Frontyard Ultra
- Ultra Series Australia
- Shaun Kaesler
- Crazy Running Man
- Ryder
- Jess / Jason’s nutritionist
- Organic Performance
- Reds
- Backyard Ultra / Frontyard Ultra format
- Jason’s mental health charity and mentoring work
Melbourne Frontyard Ultra
Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Event Website:
https://www.melbournefyu.com.au/
Interested in the 2027 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra?
Entries are open now for Saturday 1 May 2027 – and if 2026 is anything to go by, it’s going to be bigger, better, and likely to sell out.
Enter here:
https://www.melbournefyu.com.au/
💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?
If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset – a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.
👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset
🙏 A couple of big favours
- If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast – it helps more runners discover these conversations.
- I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you or someone you know has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club
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